How does this work?

[rudukai13]

Why doesn't the snake eat the frog?

 

[CTU2fan]

Is that real? I'm not sure an ETB eats cold-blooded prey.

 

[rudukai13]

Yeah it's very real. A lot of zoos and aquariums around the country have exhibits set up with a species of arboreal snake and frogs. Most commonly you see them set up with dart frogs but still. I'm just wondering how they're able to coexist like that without the snake trying to take a taste...

 

[snakefin]

There will be many influencing factors. For example, such pictures could be taken while the ETB is basking, and the frog has probably not been eaten YET, because zoo's have larger enclosures while it can run about. The zoo would have definitely had something eaten in mixed enclosures like this. Not something to attempt in captivity at all. In other words, what happened above is luck and a little touch of reptile vs amphibian behavior.

 

[snakeguy101]

I imagine it is similar to this:

 

[rudukai13]

See I would think that snakeguy's picture would be more likely to be successful long-term due to the size difference. I would think the lizards are just too small for the snake to consider wasting the energy on?

 

[manlyfish]

or maybe its just not hungry

 

[snakeguy101]

I think that this type of mixed (herp) species exhibits would work best with snakes that rely on the heat sensing organs to hunt. They can certainly see the frogs or lizards but perhaps do not recognize them as food because they are used to preying on items with a much higher heat signature such as birds and mammals.

 

[EricIvins]

I think that this type of mixed (herp) species exhibits would work best with snakes that rely on the heat sensing organs to hunt. They can certainly see the frogs or lizards but perhaps do not recognize them as food because they are used to preying on items with a much higher heat signature such as birds and mammals.

Small Emeralds do eat Amphibians and Lizards........And that Emerald is still quite small, however, I've seen his done quite a few times and it works itself out.........

 

[snakeguy101]

Small Emeralds do eat Amphibians and Lizards........And that Emerald is still quite small, however, I've seen his done quite a few times and it works itself out.........

I wasn't saying that it would always work, just that it is more likely to work.